UBANI
V.
STATE

IKONGBEH, JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appealby the accused against his conviction and sentence by the Abia State High Court, Isiala Ngwa, for the murder of one George Onyendi, contrary to section 319 of the criminal code. The prosecution’s case was that on 16/3/ 89, there was a meeting at the appellant’s home to reconcile his sister and her husband. The appellant’s father presided at the meeting. The appellant interrupted the proceedings by slapping his brother-in-law (PW3) for maltreating his sister. He asked PW3 to leave the compound. As there was every indication that the appellant would turn more violent if PW3 did not comply, the latter ran away. The appellant later went to the compound of PW1, the elder brother of the deceased, threatening to deal with PW1 for facilitating the escape of PW3 earlier on. At one point he threw a broken bottle at PW1. On seeing this, the deceased mounted his bicycle, saying he was going to report the conduct of the appellant to …